ASTM International has announced its first proficiency testing program in additive manufacturing. Proficiency testing programs allow labs to compare their performance with others, ultimately helping all participants improve their performance.

The additive-manufacturing powder-metallurgy proficiency testing program (AMPM) will help labs measure physical properties of powders used in 3D printing. AMPM is built on the globally-recognized standards and test methods developed in recent years by ASTM International and its committee on additive manufacturing technologies (F42). (To learn more about ASTM’s efforts in additive manufacturing, watch this video.)

Testing laboratories and R&D facilities that participate will be given metal powders from manufacturers to measure and analyze density, flow rate, particle size, and other properties.

The ultimate goal of this program is to support the growing use of powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and related industries by improving measuring techniques. More test methods will be added to the program over the next year to help capture additional metal-powder properties.

The first cycle will be in April (register here), with another in October. For every new cycle, a new commercial sample will be sent.

The primary benefit of the program is having a statistical quality assurance tool to monitor the strengths and weaknesses of lab performance in conducting testing. Many labs also use the program to help gain lab accreditation.

The program also allows for internal test method comparisons as well as periodic comparisons with other participating labs. The residual sample material can also be useful as a quality assurance sample.

Testing must be performed within the participant’s lab facilities. A lab does not need to perform all the tests within the program to participate. The annual registration fee ($1,360) must be paid in advance.

About 5,000 laboratories use ASTM International’s statistical quality assurance tools in the proficiency testing programs. For more information, click here.